Chamber News

Published in the Culpeper Star Exponent
Monday, January 23, 2012

I could not be more excited about an upcoming event developed for Small Business and Non-Profits by the Culpeper Chamber. With the leadership of the Small Business Committee and the Non-Profit Council we will introduce our Second Annual Professional Development Conference held at Germanna on February 9th.  The program is all day, includes lunch, a powerful keynote speaker, and 25 sessions to choose from. What is the price? Read on….

The program is developed to strengthen business on several fronts. We have four session tracts including Marketing, Human Resources Management, Operations Management, and Board Development. This is of course a wide range of topics and yet all very interesting and relevant. As I have written in past columns – organizations are generally most vulnerable to what they do not know.

The professionals @ the Chamber of Commerce have identified areas that are unique to this year’s business environment. I use the term unique because the sessions offer rare access to interesting topics and great speakers. Here are the sessions as currently arranged.  

8:00 Registration Opens

9-10:15 am: Session I 1) Employment Basics - Practices Every Employer Must Use
2) Tax Compliance Small Business & Non-Profits (990's)
3) Building and Leveraging Email Database – Constant Contact
4) Grant Writing
5) Disability Center - ADA Compliance for Business & Office
6) Roberts Rules for Organization Boards

10:30 - 11:45 am: Session II 1) Lessons from Penn State - Recruiting, Retaining, and    Terminating Employees/Volunteers
2) Google Apps for the office
3) Mailings & List Management
4) Grant Writing - Foundation Center
5) Dispute Resolution
6) Board / CEO Relationship

12:00 – 1:00 Lunch with Keynote -  The Performance Group, Inc
Pushing the Right Buttons, Keys to Inspiring Your Team

1:00—1:30: 2012 EXPO

1:30—2:45 pm Session III 1) Dispute Resolution Center
2) Quick Books - Tips, Short Cuts, and Reports
3) Social Media
4) Foundation Center Online Directory
5) Microsoft Cloud for Non-Profits and Small Business
6) Fiduciary Duties of Non-Profit Boards

3:00 - 4:15 pm Session IV 1) Alcoholic Beverage Control Laws for Events
2)

Fundraising for Board Members - Can it be Easy!
3) Employee Performance Tracking
4) Building and Leveraging Email Database – Constant Contact
5) Financial Tracking Made Easy - Dashboards
6) Customer Service
7) Myers-Briggs

Go to ProfessionalDevelopmentConference.com or CulpeperChamber.com for more details. Register today for early pricing.

Navigating Social Media

Published in the Culpeper Star Exponent
Monday, January 16, 2012

Normally a Chamber of Commerce meeting is interesting, sometimes very interesting, and occasionally they are inspired. The first Social Media Mastermind Group met last Monday morning at the Depot. 
With a fresh pot of coffee and an open slate of discussion, we did not waste anytime diving into the reaches of social media. We navigated thru Facebook, Goggle Blogs, Email, Foursquare, Yelp, and a few others that are outliers. Within each of these, there were basic and advanced revelations for everyone. Whether you were a novice or an experienced Social Media Pro, there were new ideas in the constant stream of discussion.

So what is a “Mastermind Group"? The term is common in cyber circles. In fact, the term mastermind may apply to almost any area of interest. The concept is for a group of like minded talent to exchange ideas about a subject with the intent to sharpen everyone’s knowledge.

The rate of change in social media coupled with its exponential growth has continued implications for business. As a business community we are faced with decisions everyday in applying our time productively. Social media can consume time and leave you at the end of the day with more questions than answers. And yet, we cannot ignore the need for education in determining the strategic social media direction that is best for your business.

To further complicate the issue, especially for Digital Immigrants (those that did not grow up with computers), we are accelerating toward the mobile environment. Consumers and businesses alike are leveraging their mobile devices (now including tablets like the Ipad) for the best value in their immediate location. Where are the best places to eat, shop, and play…. Now!!! We are moving from waiting to have a celebrity endorse products to tuning into our friends online for immediate recommendations.

As a rural business community, we are attracting visitors from the urban areas that have adopted the mobile technologies in mass. They expect our community to be mass communication savvy. Granted there is an appeal of the rural setting and preserving this is essential. That does not conflict with the need to be digitally dynamic. In fact, it is my view that as we are collectively agile in digital media, the brighter our digital light shines for business opportunity.

Our “Wireless Ecosystem” is evolving and these are enterprising times. There is a great deal of opportunity. We are in a place and time to move our community forward thru digital intelligence.
We invite you to join the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce and take advantage of the next Social Media Mastermind Group meet up on Monday, February 13th 8:30 AM @ the Depot.

REGISTER and let us know you are coming by CLICKING HERE

What is on the Chamber radar for 2012

Published in the Culpeper Star Exponent
Monday, January 9, 2012

January 9th - 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM @ The Depot - The Chamber Small Business Committee introduces a new Social Media Mastermind Group - Join us for an open discussion on the latest in social media. The group is open to Chamber Members and is led by Beverly Herdman of Wine Trail Homes. We plan to meet on the second Monday of each month - same time and place. No registration required.

January 18th - 8:00 AM @ Peppers Grill - The Marketing Committee and the Membership Committee introduce our Monthly Networking Breakfast. Registration is required.

January 25th - Chamber Day at the Capitol - Join Chambers from across the Commonwealth to meet with our General Assembly representatives and hear from our leaders in Richmond. Registration required.

January 25th – Chamber Members Mixer and Ribbon Cutting - New Verizon Store - 5 PM Ribbon Cutting - 5:30 Mixer (members only).

January 28th - Drop it! The 2012 Healthy Living & Weight Loss Challenge. Culpeper Regional Health System and Germanna Community College invite you to join the FREE Challenge to improve your health and the overall health of our community. Kick-Off Health Fair: Saturday, January 28 from 10 am - 4 pm

February 1st - E Squared Kick Off - 9:45 - 11:00 AM @ Germanna. CCHS and EVHS students meet with their team for the first time and begin Entreprenurial project planning. The program culminates on May 10th with winners being selected for scholarship awards. Go to EsquaredCulpeper.com for full timeline and program descriptions.

February 9th - The Small Business Committee and Non-Profit Council present - The Second

Annual "Professional Development Conference and Expo for Small Business and Non-Profits" - Join other professionals to learn the latest in Marketing & Social Media, Business Operations, Board Development, and Human Resources. Details and registration at www.ProfessionalDevelopmentConference.com.

Lead Culpeper 2012 - Leadership Development beginning in April. Watch for details.

2012 Chamber Community Guide - Highlight Your Business - Contact The Culpeper Star Exponent.

2012 Annual Sponsorship Programs - Get in early for the best value. Go to CulpeperChamber.com to see why 26 businesses have signed up so far. Contact Martha at the Chamber office for more details.

Chamber Website Change - The new Website address is CulpeperChamber.com . Simple is good and so we shifted our hosting to a new domain name, formerly CulpeperVaChamber - Now CulpeperChamber. Our Email addresses have changed to reflect the new web address.

Free Membership - Virginia Chamber of Commerce - You may qualify for free membership in the Virginia Chamber of Commerce as a result of your membership in the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce. This is an opt in program for Small Business w/ 10 or fewer employees. Contact the Culpeper Chamber office for details if you would like to opt in and begin gaining the benefits of membership in Virginia Chamber of Commerce Small Business Alliance.

Join us to get involved today. 

Helping the homeless

Published in the Culpeper Star Exponent
Monday, December 19, 2011

The article in the Star exponent on Friday about the homeless led me to think about solutions. I read with great sadness that there would be a mom with 3 children sleeping in her vehicle with no heat.  I did some quick research with the help of the Small Business Committee of the Chamber of Commerce. Here are a few opportunities to help:

“In this season of giving and tax planning, these two opportunities can combine to leverage our support for the organizations that support the people most in need.  The Virginia Department of Social Services has a Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) that emphasizes partnerships between the private and public sector to assist the economically deprived.  This program could multiply your contribution up to three times.  A simple example would be that one donates $1,000 to a NAP eligible organization.  You will receive a federal charitable deduction for the $1,000 resulting in a $300 tax benefit, depending on your effective tax rates.  Virginia will provide you with $400 credit (40% of the donation) toward your tax.  That potentially results in a $1,000 contribution with a net out-of-pocket investment of $300”, according to Chris Pearson, CPA at Yount, Hyde & Barbour , PC.  

Culpeper Community Development Corporation, run by Sam Aiken, a homeless shelter in Culpeper is listed in the NAP program of approved organizations. The program details can be found at the following state website: http://www.dss.virginia.gov/community/nap.cgi”. Giving to the CCDC is an easy way to make a great impact this holiday season.

Later, Tripp Butler sent Jack Garber, Director of the Piedmont United Way to talk with me about the issue. Jack described the network of volunteer support that is in place in the community. The Culpeper Ministerial Association, Food Closet, Culpeper Department of Human Services, Salvation Army, Piedmont United Way, and many other partners work together to provide shelter to the homeless from the Sunday after Thanksgiving to the first Sunday in April.

The Culpeper Homeless Consortium (my name for the group) has found shelter for up to 28 per night with the capacity for a few more. They provide food and a warm place to sleep while being managed by a coordinated group of volunteers. Amazingly, the consortium has also opened it arms to those in Orange that need shelter as a result of the closing of the Orange homeless shelter. 

An important part of the consortium is the Piedmont United Way. The PUW provides service in coordinating the needs among Non-Profits, Government Agencies, and Business to eliminate redundancy while optimizing the use of funds. They are also a very good resource to help ensure that the needs are valid. The Piedmont United Way is a critical part of keeping our safety net-work strong.

If you would like to donate, volunteer to help, or even provide a meal, contact the Piedmont United Way at 540-825-7569. In addition, an easy phone number to remember if you know of someone in need (non emergency) is “211” which reaches a phone center and coordinates services throughout Virginia.

Jim Charapich CEO/President
Culpeper County Chamber of Commerce

Surving and thriving in this economy

Published in the Culpeper Star Exponent
Monday, December 12, 2011

I attended the Virginia Chamber of Commerce Economic Summit a few weeks ago. The subject of the conference was “The Role of the Federal Government in Virginia’s Economic Prosperity”.  The speakers were impressive, former Governor’s  Kaine and Allen (both candidates for the US Senate in 2012) Congressman Forbes (R-VA-4th District), US Secretary of Transportation LaHood, Virginia Secretary of Transportation Connaughton, and President of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce – Barry Duvall, each very engaging regarding the Virginia Economy.

However, I was most struck by a presentation by Dr. Fuller, Director - Center for Regional Analysis, School of Public Policy, George Mason University.  His presentation was direct and showed statistical analysis of the Federal Budget’s impact on Virginia. Dr. Fuller stated that Virginia gains the most benefit from federal procurement. We have recently surpassed California as the number one state for federal procurement dollars spent. This is not surprising considering our proximity to Washington DC. In addition, he showed that federal procurement in Virginia grew an average of 10.7% per year from 2000 – 2010, and from just over $20 Billion to almost $60 Billion during this time.

According to Dr. Fuller, Virginia is 4th in Federal Wages & Salaries after Texas, California, and DC with just over $20 Billion in Federal Wages & Salaries. Consider that for each federal job, there are a correlative number of private sector service and support jobs. Thus, for any federal job lost, there would be private sector jobs impacted as well.

As beneficiaries of federal procurement and federal jobs, Virginia is equally vulnerable to federal budget cuts. As we consider the potential budget reductions in Washington, hoping for fiscal responsibility, Virginia will potentially see a significant economic impact. This seems even truer for Northern Virginia and the Hampton Roads MSA. The numbers are sobering and motivating.

The “Silver Lining” for Culpeper… As Federal Agencies and Government Contractors look for ways to cut costs, Culpeper is a strategic solution. One of the candidates in the recent election for the Virginia General Assembly alluded to the solution for transportation being high speed internet as well as roads, enabling business from virtual locations. Though he was not suggesting Culpeper, he described it well. Our robust internet infrastructure offers business and government an opportunity to locate and conduct business in a rural setting with a high quality of life, while reducing the cost of operations.

In addition, our proximity to Washington is close enough to take Amtrak into DC for a quick meeting while returning that same evening. Our 5000’ runway Jetport is perfect for most business and government small jet travel.

Culpeper as a “Micro Economy” has stood alone in many ways with regard to employment due to a healthy diversity of business. With Manufacturing, Professional Services, Hospitality, and Retail Industries, Culpeper has been able to weather the economic intervals with resiliency.

The time for “The Culpeper Solution” is now… current inventory of homes at very attractive values, infrastructure in place, strategic proximity to DC, healthy quality of life, and business friendly environment. Those who realize this sooner than later will secure the benefits.

Jim Charapich, CEO/President
Culpeper County Chamber of Commerce

Comparing countries



Explore China with the
Culpeper Chamber of Commerce

I continue to hear discussion in many forums about China, some from federal representatives, some from state representatives, and some from local leaders. There is a constant comparison with the US and China on many fronts.
When we talk about education, we are asking, what is China doing? Some are intimidated by the statistics indicating China is producing students advanced in the STEM subjects. This is a matter of debate. Nevertheless, we as a community and as a country are challenged to be better than we are by such comparison.

When we talk about economic development, we are asking, what is China doing? We hear about their booming economy. They are consuming significant resources in the development of new bridges, high speed rail, and new airports. This reminds me of America circa the 1950’s.

When we talk about National Defense, we are asking, what is China doing? Last week, I heard a US Congressman describe the growth of the Chinese Naval fleet compared to our growth. We need to be mindful of our need for national security as we consider defense cuts.

There are many more issues to consider when we think of our relationships in the global economy. China is arguably, has a significant influence on American interests and yet I find it interesting that many have not taken time to visit this interesting country. One of the best ways to understand this very influential global force is to visit.

As most of you are aware, I had the opportunity to travel to China in March and my knowledge of our friends in China continues to grow with each book, article, and news story that I hear. The layers of history, social issues, business relationships, and global events seem to point to our emerging global partner. However, no amount of reading or research can replace an immersion into their culture.

Thus, The Culpeper Chamber has arranged a very attractive opportunity for those in our area to take advantage of a great deal. Travel to China, visit 4 major cities, and experience many of the bucket list sites that you have heard so much about (such as the Forbidden City & the Great Wall) next April. This is a great gift for your friends and family as you consider the a holiday gift or wish list.

Carefree Cruise (Janet Driggers) and Battlefield Travel (Cheryl Clear) are working with the Chamber to arrange bookings for the Trip. Payment for the trip is due mid December in order to secure the best pricing. Our local travel agents (Chamber Members) are very excited to offer this as this is one of the best values to explore China.

Contact Battlefield Travel or Carefree Cruise to book a reservation, or go to CulpeperChamber.com for more details. I am confident that you find this trip as enlightening as I did. Understanding our world influences, is critical to advancing our opportunities locally and globally. 

Jim Charapich, CEO/President Culpeper County Chamber of Commerce

Thinking ahead to 2012 taxes

Published in the Culpeper Star Exponent Monday, November 28, 2011

What will next year look like when it comes to our taxes? This is a sensitive subject and yet one that we must face considering the challenges in our economy. Though there is good news for our local economy on many fronts. The revenue into our local governments will force us to make decisions about how to save money while growing our economy.

In essence, economic growth is a driving solution to the revenue challenges faced by local governments. The more meals eaten out, the more hotel rooms filled, the more our retailers sell, the more our professional services sell, the more our businesses produce and sell, the better our tax revenues. Buy Local!!! Simple right!

Let’s look a bit closer. There is one part of the equation that is not addressed in the list above, home values. Our tax revenues are based on the assessed values of homes. This is a significant factor in revenues for our local governments. The foreclosures have depressed values to a point that revenues are also depressed. Local governments often “equalize” the tax rate to offset the decrease in revenues from lower assessments.

So, if we are to see a broad base revenue increase from improved real estate assessments then the values need to increase. In order for the values to increase there must be demand, right? So how do we increase demand for local housing? Of course recruiting business to create jobs is one solution, and yet this takes time to impact the values.

So, what is another solution? My research suggests that home values in Northern Virginia are stable and increasing. We are typically subject to a timed ripple effect in Culpeper. Market improvements in NOVA usually work their way out to Culpeper... eventually? This is where we have opportunity. My theory is that we can bypass the ripple effect with strategic invitations to NOVA buyers by pooling our marketing efforts.

Today’s “strategic digital marketing” allows us to send targeted intuitive messages online, optimizing dollars for uniquely productive results. The new marketing efforts can find buyers ready to buy and deliver them to Local Real Estate Agents. A big issue for our local real estate agents is that buyers in NOVA initiate contact with NOVA agents and “drive until they qualify”. We need our agents to be the expert that these buyers find when searching for housing solutions and deliver them to Culpeper.

Local Agents are the ones that contribute to our local non-profits, charities, and youth sports teams. Supporting them and finding a way to deliver out of market buyers to them and to Culpeper can be a critical part of our economic success formula. Absorbing foreclosures, increasing demand for homes, and finding buyers for our area has potential to bring our community to a preferred level of prosperity.
 Stimulating local real estate is not a “pro growth” message. It is a building block to economic improvements. We need our local real estate market to improve in order for our local economy to support local needs: funding for schools, funding for emergency services, revenues for local business….
 The sooner we employ “Strategic Digital Marketing” the sooner we will see the potential results.

Jim Charapich is the President/CEO
Culpeper County Chamber of Commerce